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When asked how they were feeling after finally returning home several months after being evacuated from their central Wellington apartment, the response from a group of flatmates was mixed.

"Elated," said Toby Jones, just as Hayley Salmon announced she was "grossed out".

It's not difficult to understand the conflicting emotions. Though they were finally allowed back into the comforts of their own apartment, four months sitting empty without electricity had left the place in a state.

The demolition site on Tory St will remain a construction zone for a few years. Photo/Melissa Nightingale

The demolition site on Tory St will remain a construction zone for a few years. Photo/Melissa Nightingale

Hundreds of residents in the Tory St area were evacuated in November after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake left a nearby building with significant structural damage, endangering all the surrounding buildings.

The Reading Cinema car park has now been demolished, so residents have been able to return home.

Jones wandered in the front door with suitcase and bags in tow shortly after 10 this morning. It was his first reunion with his flatmates, Salmon and Brittany Godderidge, in at least a couple of months.

Aside from the obvious upside of being allowed home, there is another silver lining. With the demolition of the car park block, Jones, Salmon and Godderidge now have a view from their apartment, and a lot more light.

"Waterfront view, that's the silver lining," Jones said.

Shannique Batohi was also returning to her apartment in the Maison Cabriole building this morning.

She opened her door to a living room that showed signs of an unexpected absence. A half-drunk bottle of Vanilla Coke sat on the coffee table, washing still hung on a clothes horse by the couch. A small collection of New World Little Garden plants by the window had well and truly given up hope.

Toby Jones checks out the new view of the Reading Cinema car park demolition site from his central Wellington apartment. Photo/Melissa Nightingale

Toby Jones checks out the new view of the Reading Cinema car park demolition site from his central Wellington apartment. Photo/Melissa Nightingale